In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees. . . Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what it is, though, isn't easy. Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place--and out of place, at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side. As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make--between honesty and deciet, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

BOOK REVIEW:

A big thankyou to Net Galley for this Advanced Uncorrected E-proof that I got to read.

I could not stop reading this little gem of a book. What an awesome book by debut author Cynthia Hand. Congratulations Cynthia, well done!!! My butt isn't overly impressed or my lower back for sitting at my computer the entire day inbetween being rudely interrupted by life ( love ya kidlets) ...note to self to ask Santa for an Ipad/Iped.... whatever gets me snuggled up on my soft bed reading ebooks. I now have a few advanced ebooks ready to review, my back is starting to scream already at me. Stay tuned for more advanced reviews:D

Where to start with this gorgeous YA read. Angels are the flavour of this book . I actually felt when reading like I had wings and they were unfolding from my back and expanding whilst reading. Cynthia wrote wonderfully this description of Clara the female lead.

Clara is a Quartarius = quarter Angel and she has her 'purpose' to guard and protect a boy who she must find through her visions. Her family of Angels must pack up from California and find 'her boy', the one she sees in her visions through clues in her visions. She changes states, schools and makes new friends who are just there for her. I noted every chapter in this book but can't bring myself to reveal too much of the book as it has mystery and suspense and angst and gorgeous Tucker and Christian. I'm Team Tucker..sigh... but could be Team Christian if I knew more, easily. I had so many theories swarming around in my head whilst reading which I love a book that challenges me and isn't predictable. Bravo!! Well done Cynthia!! I did get something right but I had several theories on the go .

Cynthia does write a bit spontaneous sometimes if that's the correct way to explain it. She will have a scene but then it snaps to another scene. Her writing can snap you from one thing to another , quite quickly and the time lapse I was unsure of, sometimes. Living in sunny Queensland Australia, I just wanted to be in Wyoming with all that snow and live in Clara , Jeffrey and Maggie's home surrounded by all that hiking and snow.

I really saw this book clearly the way Cynthia described scenery and the characters.

Amongst one of the best little YA reads I have read . Cynthia has done her research on Angels well and it shows that a book can be written without swear words to fuel the angst , it's one you will want to reread several times to get your fix of the boys and story until 2012. Maybe if I put in a hint now that most of us will expire from holding our breath so maybe book 2 could be released earlier .....

FAVE QUOTES:

"Oh come on . You eye-hump him all through British History...""

"You sound like Yoda.""Free your mind, you must, " she says in her best Yoda voice.

"Where's your date?" I ask."Well , that's a complicated question. Depends on what you mean.""Who did you come with tonight?""Her", says Tucker......""And her," he says......""And her," he says finally..."